Alkyl polyglucosides and a propoxylated-ethoxylated extended chain surfactant

ABSTRACT

A cleaning composition includes an alkyl polyglucoside, an ethoxylated, propoxylated extended chain surfactant having between 6 and 10 carbon atoms and a cloud point of about 42° C. or less, a water conditioning agent and water. In one embodiment, the cleaning composition is substantially free of alkyl phenol ethoxylates. The cleaning composition is capable of removing soils including up to 20% proteins.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of hardsurface cleaningcompositions. In particular, the invention relates to a hardsurfacecleaning composition including an alkyl polyglucoside and apropoxylated-ethoxylated extended chain surfactant.

BACKGROUND

Conventional detergents used in the warewashing and launderingindustries, particularly those intended for institutional use, generallycontain alkyl phenol ethoxylates (APEs). APEs are used in detergents asa cleanser and a degreaser for their effectiveness at removing soilscontaining grease from a variety of surfaces. Commonly used APEs includenonyl phenol ethoxylates (NPE) surfactants.

However, while effective, APEs are disfavored due to environmentalconcerns. For example, NPEs are formed through the combination ofethylene oxide with nonylphenol (NP). Both NP and NPEs exhibitestrogen-like properties and may contaminate water, vegetation andmarine life. NPE is also not readily biodegradable and remains in theenvironment or food chain for indefinite time periods. There istherefore a need in the art for an environmentally friendly andbiodegradable alternative that can replace APEs in hardsurface cleaners.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the present invention is a cleaning compositionincluding an alkyl polyglucoside, an ethoxylated, propoxylated extendedchain surfactant having between 6 and 10 carbon atoms and a cloud pointof about 42° C. or less, a water conditioning agent and water. In oneembodiment, the hardsurface cleaner is substantially free of alkylphenol ethoxylates.

In another embodiment, the present invention is a method of removingsoils from a surface. The method includes diluting a cleaner with waterof dilution to form a use solution and contacting the surface with theuse solution. The cleaner includes an alkyl polyglucoside and anethoxylated, propoxylated extended chain surfactant having a cloud pointof about 42° C. or less at a ratio of at least about 1:1 and at leastone additional functional ingredient. Exemplary functional ingredientsinclude an acid source, a viscosity modifier and a water conditioningagent. In one embodiment, the soil includes up to about 20% proteins.The use solution is capable of removing soils including up to 20%proteins.

While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of thepresent invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe following detailed description, which shows and describesillustrative embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings anddetailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature andnot restrictive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Alkyl Polyglucoside and Ethoxylated, PropoxylatedExtended Chain Surfactant Containing Compositions and Methods EmployingThem

The present invention relates to hardsurface cleaning compositions andmethods of using the cleaning compositions for cleaning and removingorganic soils from a surface. In particular, the cleaning composition iseffective at removing soils including proteins, lard and oils fromvarious surfaces. For example, the cleaning composition is effective atremoving soils containing up to about 20% protein. The cleaningcompositions include an alkyl polyglucoside component and anethoxylated, propoxylated alcohol extended chain surfactant having acarbon chain of between about C₆ and C₁₀ and a cloud point of about 42°C. or lower. In one embodiment, the cleaning compositions aresubstantially free of alkyl phenol ethoxylates (APEs) such as nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs). Thus, the cleaning compositions provide agreen, readily biodegradeable replacement for conventional detergentsurfactants. The cleaning compositions can be used in variousindustries, including, but not limited to: manual and automaticwarewashing, food and beverage, vehicle care, quick service restaurantsand textile care. In particular, the cleaning compositions can be usedin hard-surface cleaning applications, including, for example: bathroomsurfaces, dishwashing equipment, food and beverage equipment, vehiclesand tabletops. The cleaning compositions can also be used in launderingapplications.

In one embodiment, the cleaning composition includes an alkylpolyglucoside component, an ethoxylated, propoxylated extended chainsurfactant, a water conditioning agent, an acid source and water.

Examples of suitable alkyl polyglucoside components which can be used inthe cleaning compositions according to the present invention includethose in which the alkyl moiety contains from about 6 to about 18 carbonatoms. Particularly, the average carbon chain length of the compositionis from about 9 to about 14. In one embodiment, the alkyl polyglucosidecomponent includes a mixture of two or more binary components of alkylpolyglucosides, where each binary component is present in the mixture inrelation to its average carbon chain length in an amount effective toprovide the hardsurface cleaning composition with the average carbonchain length of about 9 to about 14. In one embodiment, at least one ofthe binary components includes a Flory distribution of polyglucosidesderived from an acid-catalyzed reaction of an alcohol containing betweenabout 6 and about 20 carbon atoms and a suitable saccharide from whichexcess alcohol has been separated. Examples of particularly suitablealkyl polyglucosides include, but are not limited to, alkyl a(+b)-D-Monoand oligoglucopyranosides. Examples of particularly suitable alkyla(+b)-D-Mono and oligoglucopyranosides include, but are not limited to,D-Glucopyranose, oligomeric, C₁₀-C₁₆, alkyl glycosides.

Examples of commercially suitable alkyl polyglucosides useful incleaning compositions of the present invention include, but are notlimited to: APG®225 Surfactant (an alkyl polyglucoside in which thealkyl group contains 8 to 10 carbon atoms and having an average degreeof polymerization of 1.7); GLUCOPON® 425 Surfactant (an alkylpolyglucoside in which the alkyl group contains 8 to 16 carbon atoms andhaving an average degree of polymerization of 1.48); GLUCOPON®625Surfactant (an alkyl polyglucoside in which the alkyl groups contains 12to 16 carbon atoms and having an average degree of polymerization of1.6); APG® 325 Surfactant (an alkyl polyglucoside in which the alkylgroups contains 9 to 11 carbon atoms and having an average degree ofpolymerization of 1.5); GLUCOPON® 600 Surfactant (an alkyl polyglucosidein which the alkyl groups contains 12 to 16 carbon atoms and having anaverage degree of polymerization of 1.4); PLANTAREN® 2000 Surfactant (aC₈₋₁₆ alkyl polyglucoside in which the alkyl group contains 8 to 16carbon atoms and having an average degree of polymerization of 1.4); andPLANTAREN® 1300 Surfactant (a C₁₂₋₁₆ alkyl polyglucoside in which thealkyl groups contains 12 to 16 carbon atoms and having an average degreeof polymerization of 1.6). All are available from Cognis, headquarteredin Monheim, Germany.

The ethoxylated, propoxylated extended chain surfactants useful in thepresent invention include ethoxylated, propoxylated extended chainsurfactants having between about 6 and about 10 carbon atoms. Theethoxylated, propoxylated extended chain surfactants also have arelatively low cloud point. In an exemplary embodiment, the ethoxylated,propoxylated extended chain surfactant has a cloud point of about 42° C.or less. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the abilityof a co-surfactant to enhance the ability of a cleaning composition toremove soil is related to the cloud point and the size of theco-surfactant. Generally, it is believed that as the size of theco-surfactant decreases, the ability of the co-surfactant to penetratethe soil increases. An example of a suitable commercially availableethoxylated, propoxylated C₆ to C₁₀ alcohol includes, but is not limitedto, PLURAFAC® SL-42 (having 3 moles propylene oxide (PO) and enoughmoles ethylene oxide (EO) to give a cloud point of about 42° C.)available from BASF Corporation, headquartered in Ludwigshafen, Germany.

An exemplary formulation parameter of the invention is that the cleaningcomposition includes the alkyl polyglucoside component and ethoxylated,propoxylated extended chain surfactant at particular ratios depending onthe percent activity of the cleaning composition. In one embodiment, atabout 18% activity, the alkyl polyglucoside component and theethoxylated, propoxylated extended chain surfactant are present at aratio of about 1:1. In other words, the alkyl polyglucoside componenthas an activity of about 9% and the ethoxylated, propoxylated extendedchain surfactant has an activity of about 9%. In another embodiment, atabout 13.5% activity, the alkyl polyglucoside component and theethoxylated, propoxylated extended chain surfactant are present at aratio of about 2:1. In other words, the alkyl polyglucoside componenthas an activity of about 9% and the ethoxylated, propoxylated extendedchain surfactant has an activity of about 4.5%. In yet anotherembodiment, at about 13.5% activity, the alkyl polyglucoside componentand the ethoxylated, propoxylated extended chain surfactant are presentat a ratio of about 3:1. In other words, the alkyl polyglucosidecomponent has an activity of about 10.125% and the ethoxylated,propoxylated extended chain surfactant has an activity of about 3.375%.

The water conditioning agent aids in removing metal compounds and inreducing harmful effects of hardness components in service water.Exemplary water conditioning agents include chelating agents,sequestering agents and inhibitors. Polyvalent metal cations orcompounds such as a calcium, a magnesium, an iron, a manganese, amolybdenum, etc. cation or compound, or mixtures thereof, can be presentin service water and in complex soils. Such compounds or cations caninterfere with the effectiveness of a washing or rinsing compositionsduring a cleaning application. A water conditioning agent caneffectively complex and remove such compounds or cations from soiledsurfaces and can reduce or eliminate the inappropriate interaction withactive ingredients including the nonionic surfactants and anionicsurfactants of the invention. Both organic and inorganic waterconditioning agents are common and can be used. Inorganic waterconditioning agents include such compounds as sodium tripolyphosphateand other higher linear and cyclic polyphosphates species. Organic waterconditioning agents include both polymeric and small molecule waterconditioning agents. Organic small molecule water conditioning agentsare typically organocarboxylate compounds or organophosphate waterconditioning agents. Polymeric inhibitors commonly comprise polyanioniccompositions such as polyacrylic acid compounds. Small molecule organicwater conditioning agents include, but are not limited to: sodiumgluconate, sodium glucoheptonate, N-hydroxyethylenediaminetriacetic acid(HEDTA), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), nitrilotriaacetic acid(NTA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA),ethylenediaminetetraproprionic acid, triethylenetetraaminehexaaceticacid (TTHA), and the respective alkali metal, ammonium and substitutedammonium salts thereof, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid tetrasodium salt(EDTA), nitrilotriacetic acid trisodium salt (NTA), ethanoldiglycinedisodium salt (EDG), diethanolglycine sodium-salt (DEG), and1,3-propylenediaminetetraacetic acid (PDTA), dicarboxymethyl glutamicacid tetrasodium salt (GLDA), methylglycine-N—N-diacetic acid trisodiumsalt (MGDA), and iminodisuccinate sodium salt (IDS). All of these areknown and commercially available.

The acid source functions to neutralize the water conditioning agent. Anexample of a suitable acid source includes, but is not limited to,phosphoric acid. The acid source controls the pH of the resultingsolution when water is added to the cleaning composition to form a usesolution. The pH of the use solution must be maintained in the neutralto slightly alkaline range in order to provide sufficient detergencyproperties. This is possible because the soil removal properties of thecleaning composition are primarily due to the alkyl polyglucosidecomponent and ethoxylated, propoxylated alcohol extended chainsurfactant combination, rather than the alkalinity of the cleaningcomposition. In one embodiment, the pH of the use solution is betweenapproximately 6.5 and approximately 10. In particular, the pH of the usesolution is between approximately 8 and approximately 9. If the pH ofthe use solution is too low, for example, below approximately 6, the usesolution may not provide adequate detergency properties. If the pH ofthe use solution is too high, for example, above approximately 11, theuse solution may be too alkaline and attack or damage the surface to becleaned.

A feature of the cleaning composition of the invention is that it has anenhanced degreasing ability while remaining substantially free of asolvent. A solvent is often times useful in degreaser compositions toenhance soil removal properties. Surprisingly, cleaning compositions ofthe present invention do not require a non-aqueous or aqueous solvent inorder to perform well as degreasers. However, the cleaning compositionsmay include a solvent to adjust the viscosity of the final composition.The intended final use of the composition may determine whether or not asolvent is included in the cleaning composition. If a solvent isincluded in the cleaning composition, it is usually a low cost solventsuch as isopropyl alcohol. It should be noted that a solvent is notnecessary to boost the effectiveness of compositions of the presentinvention. Rather, a solvent may or may not be included to improvehandleability or ease of use of the compositions of the invention.Suitable solvents useful in removing hydrophobic soils include, but arenot limited to: oxygenated solvents such as lower alkanols, lower alkylethers, glycols, aryl glycol ethers and lower alkyl glycol ethers.Examples of other solvents include, but are not limited to: methanol,ethanol, propanol, isopropanol and butanol, isobutanol, ethylene glycol,diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropyleneglycol, mixed ethylene-propylene glycol ethers, ethylene glycol phenylether, and propylene glycol phenyl ether. Substantially water solubleglycol ether solvents include, not are not limited to: propylene glycolmethyl ether, propylene glycol propyl ether, dipropylene glycol methylether, tripropylene glycol methyl ether, ethylene glycol butyl ether,diethylene glycol methyl ether, diethylene glycol butyl ether, ethyleneglycol dimethyl ether, ethylene glycol propyl ether, diethylene glycolethyl ether, triethylene glycol methyl ether, triethylene glycol ethylether, triethylene glycol butyl ether and the like.

The cleaning composition also includes water. It should be appreciatedthat the water may be provided as deionized water or as softened water.The water provided as part of the concentrate can be relatively free ofhardness. It is expected that the water can be deionized to remove aportion of the dissolved solids. Although deionized water is preferredfor formulating the concentrate, the concentrate can be formulated withwater that has not been deionized. That is, the concentrate can beformulated with water that includes dissolved solids, and can beformulated with water that can be characterized as hard water.

In concentrate form, at about 18% activity and when the ratio of alkylpolyglucoside component to ethoxylated, propoxylated extended chainsurfactant is about 1:1, the cleaning compositions include between about9 wt % and about 24 wt % alkyl polyglucoside component, between about4.5 wt % and about 12 wt % ethoxylated, propoxylated extended chainsurfactant, between about 4 wt % and about 8 wt % water conditioningagent, between about 0.25 wt % and about 0.55 wt % acid source andbetween about 50.55 wt % and about 82.25 wt % water. Particularly, thecleaning compositions include between about 12 wt % and about 22 wt %alkyl polyglucoside component, between about 6 wt % and about 11 wt %ethoxylated, propoxylated extended chain surfactant, between about 5 wt% and about 7 wt % water conditioning agent, between about 0.3 wt % andabout 0.5 wt % acid source and between about 60 wt % and about 70 wt %water. More particularly, the cleaning compositions include betweenabout 14 wt % and about 20 wt % alkyl polyglucoside component, betweenabout 7 wt % and about 10 wt % ethoxylated, propoxylated extended chainsurfactant, between about 5.5 wt % and about 6.5 wt % water conditioningagent, between about 0.35 wt % and about 0.45 wt % acid source andbetween about 62 wt % and about 66 wt % water. In other embodiments,similar concentrations may also be present in the cleaning compositionsof the invention.

At about 13.5% activity and when the ratio of alkyl polyglucosidecomponent to ethoxylated, propoxylated extended chain surfactant isabout 2:1 or 3:1, the cleaning compositions include between about 12 wt% and about 36 wt % alkyl polyglucoside component, between about 2.25 wt% and about 8 wt % ethoxylated, propoxylated extended chain surfactant,between about 4 wt % and about 8 wt % water conditioning agent, betweenabout 0.25 wt % and about 0.55 wt % acid source and between about 44.45wt % and about 80.75 wt % water. Particularly, the cleaning compositionsinclude between about 14 wt % and about 28 wt % alkyl polyglucosidecomponent, between about 2.5 wt % and about 6 wt % ethoxylated,propoxylated extended chain surfactant, between about 5 wt % and about 7wt % water conditioning agent, between about 0.3 wt % and about 0.5 wt %acid source and between about 50 wt % and about 75 wt % water. Moreparticularly, the cleaning compositions include between about 15 wt %and about 22 wt % alkyl polyglucoside component, between about 3 wt %and about 5 wt % ethoxylated, propoxylated extended chain surfactant,between about 5.5 wt % and about 6.5 wt % water conditioning agent,between about 0.35 wt % and about 0.45 wt % acid source and betweenabout 60 wt % and about 70 wt % water. In other embodiments, similarconcentrations may also be present in the cleaning compositions of theinvention.

In one embodiment, the cleaning compositions of the present inventionare substantially free of APEs, making the detergent composition moreenvironmentally acceptable. APE-free refers to a composition, mixture,or ingredients to which APEs are not added. Should APEs be presentthrough contamination of an APE-free composition, mixture, oringredient, the level of APEs in the resulting composition is less thanapproximately 0.5 wt %, less than approximately 0.1 wt %, and often lessthan approximately 0.01 wt %.

Additional Functional Materials

The cleaning composition can include additional components or agents,such as additional functional materials. As such, in some embodiments,the cleaning composition including the alkyl polyglucoside component andthe propoxylated, ethoxylated extended chain surfactant may provide alarge amount, or even all of the total weight of the cleaningcomposition, for example, in embodiments having few or no additionalfunctional materials disposed therein. The functional materials providedesired properties and functionalities to the cleaning composition. Forthe purpose of this application, the term “functional materials” includea material that when dispersed or dissolved in a use and/or concentratesolution, such as an aqueous solution, provides a beneficial property ina particular use. The cleaning preparations containing the alkylpolyglucoside component and the propoxylated, ethoxylated alcohol mayoptionally contain other soil-digesting components, surfactants,disinfectants, sanitizers, acidulants, complexing agents, corrosioninhibitors, foam inhibitors, dyes, thickening or gelling agents, andperfumes, as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,341,983,incorporated herein by reference. Some particular examples of functionalmaterials are discussed in more detail below, but it should beunderstood by those of skill in the art and others that the particularmaterials discussed are given by way of example only, and that a broadvariety of other functional materials may be used. For example, many ofthe functional materials discussed below relate to materials used incleaning and/or destaining applications, but it should be understoodthat other embodiments may include functional materials for use in otherapplications.

Surfactants

The cleaning composition can contain an anionic surfactant componentthat includes a detersive amount of an anionic surfactant or a mixtureof anionic surfactants. Anionic surfactants are desirable in cleaningcompositions because of their wetting and detersive properties. Theanionic surfactants that can be used according to the invention includeany anionic surfactant available in the cleaning industry. Suitablegroups of anionic surfactants include sulfonates and sulfates. Suitablesurfactants that can be provided in the anionic surfactant componentinclude alkyl aryl sulfonates, secondary alkane sulfonates, alkyl methylester sulfonates, alpha olefin sulfonates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkylsulfates, and alcohol sulfates.

Suitable alkyl aryl sulfonates that can be used in the cleaningcomposition can have an alkyl group that contains 6 to 24 carbon atomsand the aryl group can be at least one of benzene, toluene, and xylene.An suitable alkyl aryl sulfonate includes linear alkyl benzenesulfonate. An suitable linear alkyl benzene sulfonate includes lineardodecyl benzyl sulfonate that can be provided as an acid that isneutralized to form the sulfonate. Additional suitable alkyl arylsulfonates include xylene sulfonate and cumene sulfonate.

Suitable alkane sulfonates that can be used in the cleaning compositioncan have an alkane group having 6 to 24 carbon atoms. Suitable alkanesulfonates that can be used include secondary alkane sulfonates. Ansuitable secondary alkane sulfonate includes sodium C₁₄-C₁₇ secondaryalkyl sulfonate commercially available as Hostapur SAS from Clariant.

Suitable alkyl methyl ester sulfonates that can be used in the cleaningcomposition include those having an alkyl group containing 6 to 24carbon atoms. Suitable alpha olefin sulfonates that can be used in thecleaning composition include those having alpha olefin groups containing6 to 24 carbon atoms.

Suitable alkyl ether sulfates that can be used in the cleaningcomposition include those having between about 1 and about 10 repeatingalkoxy groups, between about 1 and about 5 repeating alkoxy groups. Ingeneral, the alkoxy group will contain between about 2 and about 4carbon atoms. An suitable alkoxy group is ethoxy. An suitable alkylether sulfate is sodium lauric ether ethoxylate sulfate and is availableunder the name Steol CS-460.

Suitable alkyl sulfates that can be used in the cleaning compositioninclude those having an alkyl group containing 6 to 24 carbon atoms.Suitable alkyl sulfates include, but are not limited to, sodium laurelsulfate and sodium laurel/myristyl sulfate.

Suitable alcohol sulfates that can be used in the cleaning compositioninclude those having an alcohol group containing about 6 to about 24carbon atoms.

The anionic surfactant can be neutralized with an alkaline metal salt,an amine, or a mixture thereof. Suitable alkaline metal salts includesodium, potassium, and magnesium. Suitable amines includemonoethanolamine, triethanolamine, and monoisopropanolamine. If amixture of salts is used, a suitable mixture of alkaline metal salt canbe sodium and magnesium, and the molar ratio of sodium to magnesium canbe between about 3:1 and about 1:1.

The cleaning composition, when provided as a concentrate, can includethe anionic surfactant component in an amount sufficient to provide ause composition having desired wetting and detersive properties afterdilution with water. The concentrate can contain about 0.1 wt % to about0.5 wt %, about 0.1 wt % to about 1.0 wt %, about 1.0 wt % to about 5 wt%, about 5 wt % to about 10 wt %, about 10 wt % to about 20 wt %, 30 wt%, about 0.5 wt % to about 25 wt %, and about 1 wt % to about 15 wt %,and similar intermediate concentrations of the anionic surfactant.

The cleaning composition can contain a nonionic surfactant componentthat includes a detersive amount of nonionic surfactant or a mixture ofnonionic surfactants. Nonionic surfactants can be included in thecleaning composition to enhance grease removal properties. Although thesurfactant component can include a nonionic surfactant component, itshould be understood that the nonionic surfactant component can beexcluded from the detergent composition.

Nonionic surfactants that can be used in the composition includepolyalkylene oxide surfactants (also known as polyoxyalkylenesurfactants or polyalkylene glycol surfactants). Suitable polyalkyleneoxide surfactants include polyoxypropylene surfactants andpolyoxyethylene glycol surfactants. Suitable surfactants of this typeare synthetic organic polyoxypropylene (PO)-polyoxyethylene (EO) blockcopolymers. These surfactants include a di-block polymer comprising anEO block and a PO block, a center block of polyoxypropylene units (PO),and having blocks of polyoxyethylene grafted onto the polyoxypropyleneunit or a center block of EO with attached PO blocks. Further, thissurfactant can have further blocks of either polyoxyethylene orpolyoxypropylene in the molecules. A suitable average molecular weightrange of useful surfactants can be about 1,000 to about 40,000 and theweight percent content of ethylene oxide can be about 10-80 wt %.

Additional nonionic surfactants include alcohol alkoxylates. An suitablealcohol alkoxylate include linear alcohol ethoxylates such as Tomadol™1-5 which is a surfactant containing an alkyl group having 11 carbonatoms and 5 moles of ethylene oxide. Additional alcohol alkoxylatesinclude alkylphenol ethoxylates, branched alcohol ethoxylates, secondaryalcohol ethoxylates (e.g., Tergitol 15-S-7 from Dow Chemical), castoroil ethoxylates, alkylamine ethoxylates, tallow amine ethoxylates, fattyacid ethoxylates, sorbital oleate ethoxylates, end-capped ethoxylates,or mixtures thereof. Additional nonionic surfactants include amides suchas fatty alkanolamides, alkyldiethanolamides, coconut diethanolamide,lauramide diethanolamide, cocoamide diethanolamide, polyethylene glycolcocoamide (e.g., PEG-6 cocoamide), oleic diethanolamide, or mixturesthereof. Additional suitable nonionic surfactants includepolyalkoxylated aliphatic base, polyalkoxylated amide, glycol esters,glycerol esters, amine oxides, phosphate esters, alcohol phosphate,fatty triglycerides, fatty triglyceride esters, alkyl ether phosphate,alkyl esters, alkyl phenol ethoxylate phosphate esters, alkylpolysaccharides, block copolymers, alkyl polyglucosides, or mixturesthereof.

When nonionic surfactants are included in the detergent compositionconcentrate, they can be included in an amount of at least about 0.1 wt% and can be included in an amount of up to about 15 wt %. Theconcentrate can include about 0.1 to 1.0 wt %, about 0.5 wt % to about12 wt % or about 2 wt % to about 10 wt % of the nonionic surfactant.

Amphoteric surfactants can also be used to provide desired detersiveproperties. Suitable amphoteric surfactants that can be used include,but are not limited to: betaines, imidazolines, and propionates.Suitable amphoteric surfactants include, but are not limited to:sultaines, amphopropionates, amphrodipropionates, aminopropionates,aminodipropionates, amphoacetates, amphodiacetates, andamphohydroxypropylsulfonates.

When the detergent composition includes an amphoteric surfactant, theamphoteric surfactant can be included in an amount of about 0.1 wt % toabout 15 wt %. The concentrate can include about 0.1 wt % to about 1.0wt %, 0.5 wt % to about 12 wt % or about 2 wt % to about 10 wt % of theamphoteric surfactant.

The cleaning composition can contain a cationic surfactant componentthat includes a detersive amount of cationic surfactant or a mixture ofcationic surfactants. The cationic surfactant can be used to providesanitizing properties.

Cationic surfactants that can be used in the cleaning compositioninclude, but are not limited to: amines such as primary, secondary andtertiary monoamines with C₁₈ alkyl or alkenyl chains, ethoxylatedalkylamines, alkoxylates of ethylenediamine, imidazoles such as a1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-imidazoline, a2-alkyl-1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-imidazoline, and the like; and quaternaryammonium salts, as for example, alkylquaternary ammonium chloridesurfactants such as n-alkyl(C₁₂-C₁₈)dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride,n-tetradecyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride monohydrate, and anaphthylene-substituted quaternary ammonium chloride such asdimethyl-1-naphthylmethylammonium chloride.

Thickening Agents

The viscosity of the cleaning composition increases with the amount ofthickening agent, and viscous compositions are useful for uses where thecleaning composition clings to the surface. Suitable thickeners caninclude those which do not leave contaminating residue on the surface tobe treated. Generally, thickeners which may be used in the presentinvention include natural gums such as xanthan gum, guar gum, modifiedguar, or other gums from plant mucilage; polysaccharide basedthickeners, such as alginates, starches, and cellulosic polymers (e.g.,carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, and the like);polyacrylates thickeners; and hydrocolloid thickeners, such as pectin.Generally, the concentration of thickener employed in the presentcompositions or methods will be dictated by the desired viscosity withinthe final composition. However, as a general guideline, the viscosity ofthickener within the present composition ranges from about 0.1 wt % toabout 3 wt %, from about 0.1 wt % to about 2 wt %, or about 0.1 wt % toabout 0.5 wt %.

Bleaching Agents

The cleaning composition may also include bleaching agents forlightening or whitening a substrate. Examples of suitable bleachingagents include bleaching compounds capable of liberating an activehalogen species, such as Cl₂, Br₂, —OCl⁻ and/or —OBr⁻, under conditionstypically encountered during the cleansing process. Suitable bleachingagents for use in the present cleaning compositions include, forexample, chlorine-containing compounds such as a chlorine, ahypochlorite, and chloramine. Exemplary halogen-releasing compoundsinclude the alkali metal dichloroisocyanurates, chlorinated trisodiumphosphate, the alkali metal hypochlorites, monochloramine anddichloramine, and the like. Encapsulated chlorine sources may also beused to enhance the stability of the chlorine source in the composition(see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,618,914 and 4,830,773, thedisclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein for allpurposes). A bleaching agent may also be a peroxygen or active oxygensource such as hydrogen peroxide, perborates, sodium carbonateperoxyhydrate, phosphate peroxyhydrates, potassium permonosulfate, andsodium perborate mono and tetrahydrate, with and without activators suchas tetraacetylethylene diamine, and the like. The composition caninclude an effective amount of a bleaching agent. When the concentrateincludes a bleaching agent, it can be included in an amount of about 0.1wt. % to about 60 wt. %, about 1 wt. % to about 20 wt. %, about 3 wt. %to about 8 wt. %, and about 3 wt. % to about 6 wt. %.

Detergent Fillers

The cleaning composition can include an effective amount of detergentfillers, which does not perform as a cleaning agent per se, butcooperates with the cleaning agent to enhance the overall cleaningcapacity of the composition. Examples of detergent fillers suitable foruse in the present cleaning compositions include sodium sulfate, sodiumchloride, starch, sugars, C₁-C₁₀ alkylene glycols such as propyleneglycol, and the like. When the concentrate includes a detergent filler,it can be included in an amount of between about 1 wt % and about 20 wt% and between about 3 wt % and about 15 wt %.

Defoaming Agents

The cleaning composition can include a defoaming agent to reduce thestability of foam and reduce foaming. When the concentrate includes adefoaming agent, the defoaming agent can be provided in an amount ofbetween about 0.01 wt. % and about 3 wt. %.

Examples of defoaming agents that can be used in the compositionincludes ethylene oxide/propylene block copolymers such as thoseavailable under the name Pluronic N3, silicone compounds such as silicadispersed in polydimethylsiloxane, polydimethylsiloxane, andfunctionalized polydimethylsiloxane such as those available under thename Abil B9952, fatty amides, hydrocarbon waxes, fatty acids, fattyesters, fatty alcohols, fatty acid soaps, ethoxylates, mineral oils,polyethylene glycol esters, alkyl phosphate esters such as monostearylphosphate, and the like. A discussion of defoaming agents may be found,for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,048,548 to Martin et al., U.S. Pat. No.3,334,147 to Brunelle et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 3,442,242 to Rue et al.,the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein for allpurposes.

Antiredeposition Agents

The cleaning composition can include an anti-redeposition agent forfacilitating sustained suspension of soils in a cleaning solution andpreventing the removed soils from being redeposited onto the substratebeing cleaned. Examples of suitable anti-redeposition agents includefatty acid amides, fluorocarbon surfactants, complex phosphate esters,styrene maleic anhydride copolymers, and cellulosic derivatives such ashydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and the like. When theconcentrate includes an anti-redeposition agent, the anti-redepositionagent can be included in an amount of between about 0.5 wt % and about10 wt % and between about 1 wt % and about 5 wt %.

Stabilizing Agents

Stabilizing agents that can be used in the cleaning composition include,but are not limited to: primary aliphatic amines, betaines, borate,calcium ions, sodium citrate, citric acid, sodium formate, glycerine,maleonic acid, organic diacids, polyols, propylene glycol, and mixturesthereof. The concentrate need not include a stabilizing agent, but whenthe concentrate includes a stabilizing agent, it can be included in anamount that provides the desired level of stability of the concentrate.Exemplary ranges of the stabilizing agent include up to about 20 wt %,between about 0.5 wt % to about 15 wt % and between about 2 wt % toabout 10 wt %.

Dispersants

Dispersants that can be used in the cleaning composition include maleicacid/olefin copolymers, polyacrylic acid, and its copolymers, andmixtures thereof. The concentrate need not include a dispersant, butwhen a dispersant is included it can be included in an amount thatprovides the desired dispersant properties. Exemplary ranges of thedispersant in the concentrate can be up to about 20 wt. %, between about0.5 w.% and about 15 wt %, and between about 2 wt % and about 9 wt %.

Dyes and Fragrances

Various dyes, odorants including perfumes, and other aesthetic enhancingagents may also be included in the cleaning composition. Dyes may beincluded to alter the appearance of the composition, as for example, anyof a variety of FD&C dyes, D&C dyes, and the like. Additional suitabledyes include Direct Blue 86 (Miles), Fastusol Blue (Mobay ChemicalCorp.), Acid Orange 7 (American Cyanamid), Basic Violet 10 (Sandoz),Acid Yellow 23 (GAF), Acid Yellow 17 (Sigma Chemical), Sap Green(Keystone Aniline and Chemical), Metanil Yellow (Keystone Aniline andChemical), Acid Blue 9 (Hilton Davis), Sandolan Blue/Acid Blue 182(Sandoz), Hisol Fast Red (Capitol Color and Chemical), Fluorescein(Capitol Color and Chemical), Acid Green 25 (BASF), Pylakor Acid BrightRed (Pylam), and the like.

Fragrances or perfumes that may be included in the compositions include,for example, terpenoids such as citronellol, aldehydes such as amylcinnamaldehyde, a jasmine such as C1S-jasmine or jasmal, vanillin, andthe like.

Adjuvants

The present composition can also include any number of adjuvants.Specifically, the composition can include stabilizing agents, wettingagents, thickeners, foaming agents, corrosion inhibitors, biocides,hydrogen peroxide, pigments or dyes among any number of otherconstituents which can be added to the composition. Such adjuvants canbe preformulated with the present composition or added to the systemsimultaneously, or even after, the addition of the present composition.The composition can also contain any number of other constituents asnecessitated by the application, which are known and which canfacilitate the activity of the present compositions.

Embodiments of the Present Composition

The cleaning composition of the present invention is effective atremoving soils containing proteins, lard and oils. In one embodiment,the cleaning composition is effective at removing soils containing up toabout 20% protein. Several suitable exemplary liquid concentratecompositions are provided in the following tables.

TABLE 1 Exemplary Composition #1 (18% actives at 1:1 ratio of alkylpolyglucoside component to ethoxylated, propoxylated extended chainsurfactant) First Range Second Range Third Range Component (Wt %) (Wt %)(Wt %) Water 50.55-88.25 60.0-70.0 62-66 Phosphoric Acid (75%) 0.25-0.550.3-0.5 0.35-0.45 Isopropanol (99%) 0-5 1-4 2-4 Alkyl Polyglucoside(50%)  9-24 12-22 14-20 Ethoxylated, Propoxylated 4.5-12   6-11  7-10Extended Chain Surfactant EDTA (40%) 4-8 5-7 5.5-6.5

TABLE 2 Exemplary Composition #2 (13.5% actives at a 2:1 or 3:1 ratio ofalkyl polyglucoside component to ethoxylated, propoxylated extendedchain surfactant) First Range Second Range Third Range Component (Wt %)(Wt %) (Wt %) Water 44.45-80.75 50.0-75.0 60-70 Phosphoric Acid (75%)0.25-0.55 0.3-0.5 0.35-0.45 Isopropanol (99%) 0-5 1-4 2-4 AlkylPolyglucoside (50%) 12-36 14-28 15-22 Ethoxylated, Propoxylated 2.25-8  2.5-6   3-5 Extended Chain Surfactant EDTA (40%) 4-8 5-7 5.5-6.5

The concentrate composition of the present invention can be provided asa solid, liquid, or gel, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment,the cleaning compositions may be provided as a concentrate such that thecleaning composition is substantially free of any added water or theconcentrate may contain a nominal amount of water. The concentrate canbe formulated without any water or can be provided with a relativelysmall amount of water in order to reduce the expense of transporting theconcentrate. For example, the composition concentrate can be provided asa capsule or pellet of compressed powder, a solid, or loose powder,either contained by a water soluble material or not. In the case ofproviding the capsule or pellet of the composition in a material, thecapsule or pellet can be introduced into a volume of water, and ifpresent the water soluble material can solubilize, degrade, or disperseto allow contact of the composition concentrate with the water. For thepurposes of this disclosure, the terms “capsule” and “pellet” are usedfor exemplary purposes and are not intended to limit the delivery modeof the invention to a particular shape.

When provided as a liquid concentrate composition, the concentrate canbe diluted through dispensing equipment using aspirators, peristalticpumps, gear pumps, mass flow meters, and the like. This liquidconcentrate embodiment can also be delivered in bottles, jars, dosingbottles, bottles with dosing caps, and the like. The liquid concentratecomposition can be filled into a multi-chambered cartridge insert thatis then placed in a spray bottle or other delivery device filled with apre-measured amount of water.

In yet another embodiment, the concentrate composition can be providedin a solid form that resists crumbling or other degradation until placedinto a container. Such container may either be filled with water beforeplacing the composition concentrate into the container, or it may befilled with water after the composition concentrate is placed into thecontainer. In either case, the solid concentrate composition dissolves,solubilizes, or otherwise disintegrates upon contact with water. In aparticular embodiment, the solid concentrate composition dissolvesrapidly thereby allowing the concentrate composition to become a usecomposition and further allowing the end user to apply the usecomposition to a surface in need of cleaning When the cleaningcomposition is provided as a solid, the compositions provided above inTables 1-3 may be altered in a manner to solidify the cleaningcomposition by any means known in the art. For example, the amount ofwater may be reduced or additional ingredients may be added to thecleaning composition, such as a solidification agent.

In another embodiment, the solid concentrate composition can be dilutedthrough dispensing equipment whereby water is sprayed at the solid blockforming the use solution. The water flow is delivered at a relativelyconstant rate using mechanical, electrical, or hydraulic controls andthe like. The solid concentrate composition can also be diluted throughdispensing equipment whereby water flows around the solid block,creating a use solution as the solid concentrate dissolves. The solidconcentrate composition can also be diluted through pellet, tablet,powder and paste dispensers, and the like.

The water used to dilute the concentrate (water of dilution) can beavailable at the locale or site of dilution. The water of dilution maycontain varying levels of hardness depending upon the locale. Servicewater available from various municipalities have varying levels ofhardness. It is desirable to provide a concentrate that can handle thehardness levels found in the service water of various municipalities.The water of dilution that is used to dilute the concentrate can becharacterized as hard water when it includes at least 1 grain hardness.It is expected that the water of dilution can include at least 5 grainshardness, at least 10 grains hardness, or at least 20 grains hardness.

It is expected that the concentrate will be diluted with the water ofdilution in order to provide a use solution having a desired level ofdetersive properties. If the use solution is required to remove tough orheavy soils, it is expected that the concentrate can be diluted with thewater of dilution at a weight ratio of at least 1:1 and up to 1:8. If alight duty cleaning use solution is desired, it is expected that theconcentrate can be diluted at a weight ratio of concentrate to water ofdilution of up to about 1:256.

In an alternate embodiment, the cleaning compositions may be provided asa ready-to-use (RTU) composition. If the cleaning composition isprovided as a RTU composition, a more significant amount of water isadded to the cleaning composition as a diluent. When the concentrate isprovided as a liquid, it may be desirable to provide it in a flowableform so that it can be pumped or aspirated. It has been found that it isgenerally difficult to accurately pump a small amount of a liquid. It isgenerally more effective to pump a larger amount of a liquid.Accordingly, although it is desirable to provide the concentrate with aslittle as possible in order to reduce transportation costs, it is alsodesirable to provide a concentrate that can be dispensed accurately. Inthe case of a liquid concentrate, it is expected that water will bepresent in an amount of up to about 90 wt %, particularly between about20 wt % and about 85 wt %, more particularly between about 30 wt % andabout 80 wt. % and most particularly between about 50 wt % and about 80wt %.

In the case of a RTU composition, it should be noted that theabove-disclosed cleaning composition may, if desired, be further dilutedwith up to about 96 wt % water, based on the weight of the cleaningcomposition.

Compositions of the invention may be useful to clean a variety ofsurfaces. Invention compositions may be used to clean soils on hardsurfaces including but not limited to ceramics, ceramic tile, grout,granite, concrete, mirrors, enameled surfaces, metals includingaluminum, brass, stainless steel and the like. Compositions of theinvention may also be used to clean soiled linens such as towels,sheets, and nonwoven webs. As such, compositions of the invention areuseful to formulate hard surface cleaners, laundry detergents, ovencleaners, hand soaps, automotive detergents, and warewashing detergentswhether automatic or manual.

EXAMPLES

The present invention is more particularly described in the followingexamples that are intended as illustrations only, since numerousmodifications and variations within the scope of the present inventionwill be apparent to those skilled in the art. Unless otherwise noted,all parts, percentages, and ratios reported in the following examplesare on a weight basis, and all reagents used in the examples wereobtained, or are available, from the chemical suppliers described below,or may be synthesized by conventional techniques.

Materials Used

Glucopon 625 UP: an alkyl polyglucoside having alkyl groups containing12 to 16 carbon atoms and having an average degree of polymerization of1.6 available from Cognis, headquartered in Monheim, Germany.

Plurafac SL 42: an ethoxylated, propoxylated C₆ to C₁₀ extended chainsurfactant having a cloud point of about 42° C. available from BASFCorporation, headquartered in Ludwigshafen, Germany.

Plurafac SL 62: an ethoxylated, propoxylated C₆ to C₁₀ extended chainsurfactant having a cloud point of about 62° C. available from BASFCorporation, headquartered in Ludwigshafen, Germany.

Super Excellent: a cleaner available from Ecolab Inc., Saint Paul, Minn.

Red Soil Removal Test

A red soil consisting of lard, oil, protein, and iron (III) oxide (forcolor) was prepared. About 30 grams of lard was combined with about 30grams of corn oil, about 15 grams of whole powdered egg, and about 1.5grams of Fe₂O₃.

The back, grooved sides of a plurality of 3″×3″ white vinyl tiles weresoiled with approximately 0.75 grams of the red soil using a 3″ foambrush. The tiles were allowed to dry at room temperature overnight. Itis believed that this incubation period allowed the bonds holding thetriglycerides and proteins together in the soil to begin to crystallizeand interlink. The next day, the tiles were placed into a soaking traycontaining about 200 grams of a test composition for about 1 minute.

The soil removal test was conducted using a Precision Force Applicator(PFA), available from Precision Analytical Instruments, Inc., using asynthetic sponge. The PFA is similar to the Gardner StraightlineApparatus except that it is interfaced with a computer to controlvarious parameters, such as, for example speed, number of repetitionstime between cycle times, etc. The synthetic sponge was pre-dampenedwith water with the excess water squeezed out and then saturated withabout 50 grams of the test compositions. The tiles were then placed intothe PFA with the grain of the tiles parallel to the direction of spongetravel. The tiles were scrubbed with about 2 pounds of pressure with themoistened synthetic sponge for 16 cycles, rotating the tiles 90 degreesevery 4 cycles for a complete 360 degree rotation of the tiles. Thetiles were then rinsed with city water and dried overnight at roomtemperature. Hunter Lab L* reflectance of the soiled tiles and washedtiles were measured. The soiled tiles L* reflectance value isrepresented by the following equation:

${{soiled}\mspace{14mu} L^{\prime*}} = \frac{1}{3.38\mspace{14mu}{\ln\left( \frac{92.1 - 24.74}{{{soiled}\mspace{14mu} L^{*}} - 24.74} \right)}}$

where 3.38, 92.1, and 24.74 are constants. The washed tiles L*reflectance value is represented by the following equation:

${{washed}\mspace{14mu} L^{\prime*}} = \frac{1}{3.38\mspace{14mu}{\ln\left( \frac{92.1 - 24.74}{{{washed}\mspace{14mu} L^{*}} - 24.74} \right)}}$

The percent soil removal was then calculated as:

${{percent}\mspace{14mu}{soil}\mspace{14mu}{removal}} = {\left( \frac{{{soiled}\mspace{14mu} L^{\prime*}} - {{washed}\mspace{14mu} L^{\prime*}}}{{soiled}\mspace{14mu} L^{\prime*}} \right)*100}$

The compositions were evaluated based on two standards. First, thecompositions were evaluated to determine whether an acceptable amount ofred soil was removed at low concentrations (i.e., 4 oz/gallon),intermediate concentrations (i.e., 8 oz/gallon) and high concentrations(i.e., 16 oz/gallon). At 18% actives, a composition was considered toperform at an acceptable level if it removed at least about 72% red soilat low concentrations, at least about 79% red soil at intermediateconcentrations and at least about 86% red soil at high concentrations.

If the composition removed an acceptable amount of red soil at allconcentrations, the compositions were then evaluated to determinewhether they performed substantially similarly to, and could act as asuitable replacement for, a commercially known cleaner. Two compositionswere considered to behave substantially similarly if the amount of redsoil removed was within about 10% at low and high concentrations andwithin about 15% at intermediate concentrations.

Example 1 and Comparative Examples A and B

To test the ability of compositions of the present invention andcomparative compositions to remove red soil from a surface according tothe method described above, various compositions were formulated at 4, 8and 16 ounce per gallon concentrations and about 18% activity.

Example 1 is a composition of the present invention and included a 1:1ratio of actives of an alkyl polyglucoside component (Glucopon 625 UP)and an ethoxylated, propoxylated extended chain surfactant having acloud point of about 42° C. (Plurafac SL-42).

The compositions of Comparative Examples A and B were also tested fortheir ability to remove red soil. The composition of Comparative ExampleA included only the ethoxylated, propoxylated extended chain surfactant,Plurafac SL-42. The composition of Comparative Example B included thecomposition of a commercially known hard surface cleaner, SuperExcellent. Water was used as a control.

Each of the compositions of Example 1 and Comparative Example A includedthe same component concentrations as the composition of ComparativeExample B, or Super Excellent. The only difference was that thecompositions of Example 1 and Comparative Example A removed the NPE fromthe Super Excellent composition and replaced it with the alkylpolyglucoside component and/or ethoxylated, propoxylated extended chainsurfactant in amounts to achieve the same activity.

Table 3 provides the concentration and percent red soil removal for eachof the compositions of Example 1, Comparative Examples A and B, andwater.

TABLE 3 Concentration Red Soil (oz/gal) Removal (%) Example 1 4 79.71 888.89 16 92.39 Comparative Example A 4 77.02 8 78.50 16 84.40Comparative Example B 4 79.06 8 87.75 16 91.46 Water (Control) — 72.80

As illustrated in Table 3, the composition of Example 1 including bothan alkyl polyglucoside and an ethoxylated, propoxylated extended chainsurfactant having a cloud point of about 42° C. surpassed the thresholdlevels of red soil removal. The composition of Example 1 also performedsubstantially similarly to a commercially known cleaner (ComparativeExample B). In particular, at 4, 8 and 16 oz/gal concentrations, theamount of red soil removed by the composition of Example 1 and theamount of red soil removed by the composition of Comparative Example Bwere within 1% of each other.

Although the composition of Comparative Example A met the thresholdamounts of red soil removal for 4 and 8 oz/gal concentrations, thecomposition of Comparative Example A did not meet the threshold amountfor red soil removal at a 16 oz/gallon concentration, removing less than86% red soil. However, the composition of Comparative Example Aperformed substantially similarly to the composition of ComparativeExample B.

As expected, all of the compositions removed more red soil than water.

Examples 2 and 3 and Comparative Example C

To test the ability of a composition of the present invention andcomparative compositions to remove red soil, various compositions wereformulated at 4, 8 and 16 ounce per gallon concentrations. Thecompositions of Examples 2 and 3 included an alkyl polyglucoside(Glucopon 625 UP) and an ethoxylated, propoxylated extended chainsurfactant (Plurafac SL-42). The composition of Example 2 included a 1:1ratio of 9% actives and the composition of Example 3 included a 1:1ratio of 13.5% actives. In particular, the composition of Example 2included 0.28% actives, 0.56% actives and 1.13% actives at the 4, 8 and16 oz/gallon concentrations, respectively, and the composition ofExample 3 included 0.42%, 0.84% and 1.69% actives at the 4, 8 and 16oz/gallon concentrations, respectively.

The composition of Comparative Example C included a commercially knownhard surface cleaner, Super Excellent. In particular, the composition ofComparative Example C included 0.56% actives, 1.13% actives and 2.25%actives at the 4, 8 and 16 oz/gallon concentrations, respectively. Waterwas used as a control.

Each of the compositions of Examples 2 and 3 included the same componentconcentrations as the composition of Comparative Example C, or SuperExcellent. The only difference was that the compositions of Examples 2and 3 removed the NPE from the Super Excellent composition and replacedit with the alkyl polyglucoside component and ethoxylated, propoxylatedextended chain surfactant in amounts to achieve the same activity.

Table 4 provides the percent actives, concentration and percent red soilremoval for each of the compositions of Examples 2 and 3, ComparativeExample C, and water.

TABLE 4 Concentration Red Soil Ratio Actives (oz/gal) Removal (%)Example 2 1:1   9% 4 71.21 8 75.33 16 87.72 Example 3 1:1 13.5% 4 69.568 76.44 16 87.71 Comparative — — 4 79.06 Example C 8 87.75 16 91.46Water (Control) — — — 72.80

Because the compositions of Examples 2 and 3 had reduced actives, theywere not evaluated based on the soil removing standard of at least 72%at low concentrations, at least about 79% red soil at intermediateconcentrations and at least about 86% at high concentrations. Theresults in Table 4 show that at higher concentrations, the compositionsof Examples 2 and 3 containing a 1:1 ratio of an alkyl polyglucoside andan ethoxylated, propoxylated extended chain surfactant having a cloudpoint of about 42° C. perform substantially similarly to the compositionof Comparative Example C, a known cleaner. In particular, at a 16 oz/galconcentration, the amount of red soil removed by the compositions ofExamples 2 and 3 was within about 4% of the amount of red soil removedby the composition of Comparative Example C.

As expected, all of the compositions outperformed water at removing redsoil.

Examples 4, 5, 6 and 7 and Comparative Example D

To test the ability of compositions of the present invention andcomparative compositions to remove red soil from a surface according tothe method described above, various compositions were formulated at 4, 8and 16 ounce per gallon concentrations. The compositions of Examples 4,5, 6 and 7 are compositions of the present invention and included analkyl polyglucoside (Glucopon 625 UP) and an ethoxylated, propoxylatedextended chain surfactant (Plurafac SL-42). The composition of Example 4included a 3:1 ratio of 9% actives, the composition of Example 5included a 3:1 ratio of 13.5% actives, the composition of Example 6included a 2:1 ratio of 9% actives and the composition of Example 7included a 2:1 ratio of 13.5% actives. In particular, the compositionsof Examples 4 and 6 included 0.28% actives, 0.56% actives and 1.13%actives at the 4, 8 and 16 oz/gallon concentrations, respectively, andthe compositions of Examples 5 and 7 included 0.42%, 0.84% and 1.69%actives at the 4, 8 and 16 oz/gallon concentrations, respectively.

The composition of Comparative Example D included the composition of acommercially known hard surface cleaner, Super Excellent, and was alsotested for its ability to remove red soil. The composition ofComparative Example D included 0.56% actives, 1.13% actives and 2.25%actives at the 4, 8 and 16 oz/gallon concentrations, respectively. Waterwas used as a control.

Each of the compositions of Examples 4, 5, 6 and 7 included the samecomponent concentrations as the composition of Comparative Example D, orSuper Excellent. The only difference was that the compositions ofExamples 4, 5, 6 and 7 removed the NPE from the Super Excellentcomposition and replaced it with the alkyl polyglucoside component andethoxylated, propoxylated extended chain surfactant in amounts toachieve the same activity.

Table 5 provides the actives ratio, percent actives, concentration andpercent red soil removal for each of the compositions of Examples 4, 5,6 and 7, the composition of Comparative Example D, and water.

TABLE 5 Concentration Red Soil Ratio Actives (oz/gal) Removal (%)Example 4 3:1   9% 4 78.90 8 85.20 16 92.56 Example 5 3:1 13.5% 4 80.288 92.25 16 95.57 Example 6 2:1   9% 4 78.14 8 83.27 16 93.43 Example 72:1 13.5% 4 83.91 8 89.24 16 95.89 Comparative — — 4 79.06 Example D 887.75 16 91.46 Water (Control) — — — 72.80

Because the compositions of Examples 4-7 had reduced actives, they werenot evaluated based on the soil removing standard of at least 72% at lowconcentrations, at least about 79% red soil at intermediateconcentrations and at least about 86% at high concentrations. As can beseen from the results in Table 5, the compositions of Examples 4, 5, 6and 7 performed substantially similarly at both 9% and 13.5% activitiesand when the ratio of alkyl polyglucoside to ethoxylated, propoxylatedextended chain surfactant was either 3:1 or 2:1. The compositions ofExamples 4 and 6, which contained 9% actives, performed substantiallysimilarly to the composition of Comparative Example D at higherconcentrations.

The compositions of Examples 5 and 7, which contained 13.5% actives,also performed substantially similarly to the composition of ComparativeExample D at higher concentrations.

As expected, all of the compositions outperformed water at removing redsoil.

Comparative Examples E, F and G

After it was determined that an alkyl polyglucoside in combination withan ethoxylated, propoxylated extended chain surfactant having a cloudpoint of about 42° C. was effective at removing red soil, a compositionincluding an alkyl polyglucoside and an ethoxylated, propoxylatedextended chain surfactant co-surfactant having a cloud point higher than42° C. was tested to determine its ability remove red soil from asurface. The compositions were formulated at 4, 8 and 16 ounce pergallon concentrations and about 18% activity.

The composition of Comparative Example E included a 1:1 ratio of activesof an alkyl polyglucoside and an ethoxylated, propoxylated extendedchain surfactant having a cloud point of 62° C. In particular, thecomposition of Comparative Example E included Glucopon 625 UP andPlurafac SL-62. The composition of Comparative Example F included onlythe ethoxylated, propoxylated extended chain surfactant, Plurafac SL-62.The composition of Comparative Example G included the composition of acommercially known hard surface cleaner, Super Excellent. Water was alsoused as a control.

Each of the compositions of Comparative Examples E and F included thesame component concentrations as the composition of Comparative ExampleG, or Super Excellent. The only difference was that the compositions ofComparative Examples E and F removed the NPE from the Super Excellentcomposition and replaced it with the alkyl polyglucoside componentand/or ethoxylated, propoxylated extended chain surfactant in amounts toachieve the same activity.

Table 6 provides the concentration and percent red soil removal for eachof the compositions Comparative Examples E, F and G and water.

TABLE 6 Concentration Red Soil (oz/gal) Removal (%) Comparative ExampleE 4 78.28 8 77.24 16 82.60 Comparative Example F 4 77.41 8 77.91 1678.42 Comparative Example G 4 79.06 8 87.75 16 91.46 Water — 72.80

Table 6 illustrates that at lower concentrations, the compositions ofComparative Examples E, F and G performed substantially similarly.However, at higher concentrations, the composition of ComparativeExample G removed at least about 8% more red soil than the compositionsof Comparative Examples E and F.

While a composition including a combination of an alkyl polyglucosideand an ethoxylated, propoxylated extended chain surfactant having acloud point of about 62° C. (Comparative Example E) outperformed acomposition including only the ethoxylated, propoxylated extended chainsurfactant having a cloud point of about 62° C. (Comparative Example F)at removing red soil, both compositions exhibited lower red soilremoving properties than a known, commercially available cleaner(Comparative Example G).

As expected, all of the compositions outperformed water at removing redsoil.

Black Soil Removal Test

A black soil including about 50 grams kerosene, about 5 grams mineraloil, about 5 grams motor oil, about 2.5 grams oil dag and about 37.5grams bandy black clay was prepared.

A plurality of 3″×3″ white vinyl tiles were soiled on the back, groovedside with approximately 0.75 grams of the black test soil using a 3″foam brush. The tiles were allowed to dry at room temperature overnight.The next day, the tiles were placed into a soaking tray containing about200 grams of the cleaning composition for about 2 minutes. The soilremoval test was conducted using a Precision Force Applicator (PFA),available from Precision Analytical Instruments, Inc., using a syntheticsponge. The sponge was pre-dampened with water with the excess watersqueezed out and then saturated with about 50 grams of the testcompositions.

The tiles were then placed into the PFA with the grain of the tilesparallel to the direction of sponge travel. The tiles were then scrubbedwith about 2 pounds of pressure with the moistened synthetic sponge for40 cycles, rotating the tiles 90 degrees every 10 cycles for a complete360 degree rotation of the tiles. The tiles were then rinsed with citywater and dried overnight at room temperature. Hunter Lab L* reflectanceof the soiled tiles and washed tiles were measured. The soiled tiles L*reflectance value are represented by the following equation:

${{soiled}\mspace{14mu} L^{\prime*}} = \frac{1}{3.38\mspace{14mu}{\ln\left( \frac{92.1 - 24.74}{{{soiled}\mspace{14mu} L^{*}} - 24.74} \right)}}$

where 3.38, 92.1, and 24.74 are constants. The washed tiles L*reflectance value is represented by the following equation:

${{washed}\mspace{14mu} L^{\prime*}} = \frac{1}{3.38\mspace{14mu}{\ln\left( \frac{92.1 - 24.74}{{{washed}\mspace{14mu} L^{*}} - 24.74} \right)}}$

The percent soil removal was then calculated as:

${{percent}\mspace{14mu}{soil}\mspace{14mu}{removal}} = {\left( \frac{{{soiled}\mspace{14mu} L^{\prime*}} - {{washed}\mspace{14mu} L^{\prime*}}}{{soiled}\mspace{14mu} L^{\prime*}} \right)*100}$

Two compositions are considered to behave substantially similarly if theamount of black soil removed was within about 5% at low and highconcentrations (i.e., 4 oz/gallon and 16 oz/gallon, respectively) andwithin about 10% at intermediate concentrations (i.e. 8 oz. gallon).

Examples 8, 9 and 10 and Comparative Example H

To test the ability of compositions of the present invention andcomparative compositions to remove black soil from a surface accordingto the method described above, various compositions were formulated at4, 8 and 16 ounce per gallon concentrations. The compositions ofExamples 8, 9 and 10 are compositions of the present invention andincluded an alkyl polyglucoside (Glucopon 625 UP) and an ethoxylated,propoxylated extended chain surfactant having a cloud point of about 42°C. (Plurafac SL-42). The composition of Example 8 included a 1:1 ratioof 9% actives, the composition of Example 9 included a 1:1 ratio of13.5% actives and the composition of Example 10 included a 1:1 ratio of18% actives. In particular, the composition of Example 8 included 0.28%actives, 0.56% actives and 1.13% actives at the 4, 8 and 16 oz/gallonconcentrations, respectively. The composition of Example 9 included0.42%, 0.84% and 1.69% actives at the 4, 8 and 16 oz/gallonconcentrations, respectively. The composition of Example 10 included0.56%, 1.13% and 2.25% actives at the 4, 8 and 16 oz/gallonconcentrations, respectively.

The composition of Comparative Example H included a commercially knownhard surface cleaner, Super Excellent, and was also tested for itsability to remove black soil. The composition of Comparative Example Hincluded 0.56% actives, 1.13% actives and 2.25% actives at the 4, 8 and16 oz/gallon concentrations, respectively. Water was used as a control.

Each of the compositions of Examples 8, 9 and 10 included the samecomponent concentrations as the composition of Comparative Example H, orSuper Excellent. The only difference was that the compositions ofExamples 8, 9 and 10 removed the NPE from the Super Excellentcomposition and replaced it with the alkyl polyglucoside component andethoxylated, propoxylated extended chain surfactant in amounts toachieve the same activity.

Table 7 provides the concentrations and percent black soil removal foreach of the compositions of Examples 8, 9 and 10, Comparative Example H,and water.

TABLE 7 Concentration Black Soil Ratio Actives (oz/gal) Removal (%)Example 8 1:1   9% 4 81.38 8 84.18 16 86.08 Example 9 1:1 13.5% 4 80.628 83.80 16 86.08 Example 10 1:1   18% 4 81.57 8 83.96 16 86.57Comparative — — 4 82.50 Example H 8 84.74 16 85.76 Water (Control) — — —72.97

As illustrated in Table 7, compositions including a 1:1 ratio of analkyl glucoside and an ethoxylated, propoxylated extended chainsurfactant having a cloud point of about 42° C. met the threshold blacksoil removal levels and performed substantially similarly to acommercially known product (Comparative Example H) at 9%, 13.5% and 18%actives (Examples 8, 9 and 10, respectively) at removing black soil. Atall concentrations and activities, the amount of black soil removed bythe compositions of Examples 8, 9 and 10 and the amount of black soilremoved by the composition of Comparative Example H was within about 5%.

As expected, all of the compositions removed more black soil than wateralone.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplaryembodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. For example, while the embodiments described above refer toparticular features, the scope of this invention also includesembodiments having different combinations of features and embodimentsthat do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, thescope of the present invention is intended to embrace all suchalternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope ofthe claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

1. A cleaning composition having an ethoxylated, propoxylated extendedchain surfactant having between about 6 and about 10 carbon atoms withthe general formula:C₆-C₁₀(PO)_(x)EO_(y) wherein x is a number having a value of 3 and y isa number having a value of from about 1 to about 6, the cleaningcomposition further comprising: (a) between about 9% and about 36% byweight alkyl polyglucoside component; (b) between about 2.25% and about12% by weight ethoxylated, propoxylated extended chain surfactant havinga cloud point of about 42° C. or less; (c) between about 4% and about 8%water conditioning agent; and (d) between about 44.45% and about 88.25%by weight water.
 2. The cleaning composition of claim 1, wherein thealkyl polyglucoside component has an alkyl moiety containing from about6 to about 18 carbon atoms.
 3. The cleaning composition of claim 2,wherein the alkyl polyglucoside component has an alkyl moiety containingfrom about 9 to about 14 carbon atoms.
 4. The cleaning composition ofclaim 1, wherein the alkyl polyglucoside component and the ethoxylated,propoxylated extended chain surfactant are present at a ratio of about1:1.
 5. The cleaning composition of claim 4, wherein the cleaningcomposition has about 18% actives.
 6. The cleaning composition of claim1, wherein the alkyl polyglucoside component and the ethoxylated,propoxylated extended chain surfactant are present at a ratio of betweenabout 2:1 and about 3:1.
 7. The cleaning composition of claim 6, whereinthe cleaning composition has about 13.5% actives.
 8. The cleaningcomposition of claim 1, wherein the cleaning composition has a pH ofbetween about 6.5 and about
 10. 9. A hardsurface cleaner having anethoxylated, propoxylated extended chain surfactant having between about6 and about 10 carbon atoms with the general formula:C₆-C₁₀(PO)_(x)EO_(y) wherein x is a number having a value of 3 and y isa number having a value of from about 1 to about 6, the hardsurfacecleaner further comprising: (a) an alkyl polyglucoside; and (b) anethoxylated, propoxylated extended chain surfactant having a cloud pointof about 42° C. or less; (c) wherein the hardsurface cleaner issubstantially free of alkyl phenol ethoxylates.
 10. The hardsurfacecleaner of claim 9, wherein the alkyl polyglucoside has an alkyl moietycontaining from about 6 to about 18 carbon atoms.
 11. The hardsurfacecleaner of claim 9, wherein the alkyl polyglucoside component and theethoxylated, propoxylated extended chain surfactant are present at aratio of between about 1:1 and about 3:1.
 12. The hardsurface cleaner ofclaim 9, wherein the alkyl polyglucoside constitutes between about 9%and about 36% by weight of the hardsurface cleaner.
 13. The hardsurfacecleaner of claim 9, wherein the ethoxylated, propoxylated extended chainsurfactant constitutes between about 2.25% and about 12% by weight ofthe hardsurface cleaner.
 14. A method of removing soils from a surface,the method comprising: (a) diluting a cleaner with water of dilution toform a use solution, wherein the cleaner comprises a cleaning agent andat least one functional ingredient, and wherein the cleaning agentcomprises an alkyl polyglucoside and an ethoxylated, propoxylatedextended chain surfactant having a cloud point of about 42° C. or lessat a ratio of at least about 1:1, the ethoxlyated, propoxylated extendedchain surfactant further having between about 6 and about 10 carbonatoms with the general formula:C₆-C₁₀(PO)_(x)EO_(y) wherein x is a number having a value of 3 and y isa number having a value of from about 1 to about; and (b) contacting thesurface with the use solution; wherein the soil comprises up to about20% by weight proteins.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein diluting thecleaner with water of dilution comprises diluting at weight ratio ofcleaner to water of dilution of up to about 1:256.
 16. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the cleaner is substantially free of nonyl phenolethoxylates.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the cleaner comprisesless than about 0.5% alkyl phenol ethoxylates.
 18. The method of claim14, wherein the cleaner comprises less than about 0.1% alkyl phenolethoxylates.